New Year's Day - Year of the Crow

When I got my work schedule, I was very happy to see that I had New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off. Usually my days off are separated, so we decided to take advantage of our fortune and spend the new year with Gram and Candy! We arrived about three in the afternoon. The weather was wet and rainy...as it should be! We arrived to all kinds of yummy food (thank you Candy!) and enjoyed the company of Diane (Terry was ill) and Chris. There was a challenging puzzle to attack, yarn to knit, and Crib to play. Unfortunately for me, I think I had the worst crib hands of my entire Crib career. And I was playing Uncle Chris, who won THREE games in a row that evening!! Chris stayed for the traditional ball drop and then we all went to bed!


The next morning Candy, Matt and I took a trip up to the bar to check out the waves and do a little car birding on the way. Of course, like a fool, I forgot to shield my eyes from birds until something interesting showed up, so this is the year of the crow (better than the year of the starling) as that is the first bird I saw in Gram's front yard. Saw most of the usual suspects (including lots of pelicans), and some incredible waves. We took pictures through the car window between windshield wiper swipes. Only Matt braved the elements, but it was just a short trip out of the car to inform the family that had just sauntered onto the bar (three kids and two adults with thin jackets and cameras in tow) that the waves were big, snuck up on you, and it wasn't a safe place to stand! Fortunately, they listened. We actually ran into them at the oyster factory later, and they thanked us. New York license plates. The bar REALLY needs a sign.

The view from the jetty was impressive. The waves were coving the south jetty and shooting up to what looked like about 10-15 feet in the air.


The big bird in the center is one of the many pelicans we observed.




I didn't manage to catch any really high waves, but they were getting pretty close to the car!


The view of the headland.



Since I didn't have to work the following day until later in the afternoon, we opted to stay another night. Hoping to redeem myself, I pulled out the Crib board. This time I even had back-up with a partner! Let's just say my gambling fortune for the next year isn't looking too bright! Ouch! We played three more games, and finally, on the last game, Candy and I (partners) we ahead and just a few pegs from the end. Matt and Chris would have to peg like maniacs to beat us because Candy had first count. So, Chris got six points..., and then Matt went out with THE LAST CARD. Arghhhhh. We had fun though, and really enjoyed everyone's company.

Saturday morning before we left, Matt and Candy went down to check on the park memorial plaque dedicated to Gramps that had been spray-painted to see if they thought they could clean it up. After a little research, they headed out armed with brushes and acetone. Turned out that the paint could be chipped off the letters, but that the textured surface was a different matter. Candy decided to call the manufacturer to find out what products would remove the paint and not damage the sealant the following week. The only disappointing part of the trip was finding out that the graffiti had been done over a month ago, and the city had not followed through and cleaned it up, although they had been made aware, and indicated that they would.

That aside, it was so nice to start the year at the coast and with such enjoyable company. We are hoping this is a year of exciting new experiences, including a teaching job for me. Best wishes to everyone for a peaceful and happy new year.